Queen’s Day at Quay St, Wynyard Quarter and Queen St.

How fortunate are we to witness the Queen’s birthday celebration in Auckland, New Zealand while we were still there. In fact, it was the day we were to fly out, but we still enjoyed the holiday as the rest of the Kiwis.

The night before, my other co-winner Camille and I were watching the ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in London over the television as we were having our dinner at a convenient store in Cambridge, New Zealand. In case some of you may be wondering, New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy and its head of state is the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom – Queen Elizabeth II.




Queen’s Day

On June 6, a holiday in New Zealand, we witnessed how people were celebrating Queen’s Day. It wasn’t her exact birthday but New Zealanders mark the first Monday of June of each year for the queen. As we were walking towards the Ferry Building across Quay St., we saw a mini-fair for kids at an open air space within the Queen’s Wharf area. Kids and their parents enjoyed the Ferris Wheel, the laughing clown booth, and other rides and games.

Ferry Building
The historic Ferry Building.
Queen's birthday
A Ferris Wheel and mini-fair behind the Ferry Building (lower right of the photo), just outside Shed 10.
Queen's birthday
A modern take on Merry-go-Round.
Queen's birthday
Father and son play in this Laughing Clown booth.

At a nearby building behind the pier terminal, which is Shed 10, we found a Queen’s birthday market, which featured different items on sale, including food, clothes and home products. There was also a DJ spinning some music by the entrance of the bazaar.

Queen's birthday
The bazaar in Shed 10.
Queen's birthday
Have your photo taken here.
Queen's birthday
Interesting finds at the bazaar.

In the modern structure beside it, which they call The Cloud, there were music, interactive activities, games, and exhibits. Little and classic cars, one was similar to what Mr. Bean drives, were also put on display there. It was a fun day. We wanted to partake in one of the games if we weren’t rushing to our next stop.

Queen's Wharf
The Cloud at night.
Queen's birthday
Tiny classic cars.
Queen's birthday
We wanted to play this, too.

Read more at:

http://www.queens-wharf.co.nz/
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/queens-birthday/auckland

Wynyard Quarter

After we shopped at the Countdown store nearby for chocolates and goods to bring home, Camille and I decided to spend our last meal enjoying some of Auckland’s delectable oysters. When I travel, I see to it that I taste the local food. (Sometimes, I spend on this, but you only get to travel every now and then and eating authentic local food must be part of the experience.)

Viaduct Harbour
The Viaduct Harbour with the Sky Tower at the backdrop.
Viaduct Harbour
An arch that has Maori influence.

From the Queen’s Wharf, we walked towards the Princess Wharf onto Wynyard Quarter, in search of the Seafood Market. But as we took the length of Quay Street towards Viaduct Harbour to Wynyard Quarter, we were amazed by the sights we saw – rows of sails parked at the harbor, mobile libraries, families biking and skateboarding, the beautifully designed Wynyard footbridge, love locks (which seemed pretty new), Maori arch, offices, the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre, parks and open spaces, art installations, and so much more.

Wynyard Quarter
The pedestrian foot bridge. It closes when sailboats pass the bridge.
Wynyard Quarter
This seems like a mobile library or bookstore that was set up at the Viaduct Harbour.
Wynyard Quarter
Love locks. Must be a new thing in this side of the pier because the locks are still few.

Seeing the rows of restaurants at this wharf, Camille and I were excited because we have seen the place from photos in the internet. It was lunch time and most diners were drinking beer there. (We saw a beercycle at Hobson Street near the Viaduct. It looks like a cart and it is Auckland’s original party bike pub crawl where about 16 people cycle together as they bring the pub on wheels to various restaurants around the city.)

Wynyard Quarter
Rows of restaurants at the Wynyard Quarter. I’ve seen this in many photos.
Wynyard Quarter
Restaurants are housed in this building. The tracks of the tram visible in the lower left of the photo.
Wynyard Quarter
A closer look at the restos.

We entered the structure that housed the restaurants and crossed the street behind it and there we finally found the Auckland Fish Market. A dozen of really large oysters cost NZD 19.99 (around USD 14.30 or PhP 670.50). We could have eaten them fresh but since we were to fly out that night and wouldn’t want to risk some indigestion while on the plane, we asked the kitchen to deep fry it for us. They charged NZ 1 a piece, making it NZ 12 cooking charge (about USD 8.60 or PhP 402.50). We didn’t mind, since oysters, especially of good quality, are really expensive back home.

Fish Market
Finally, the Fish Market!
Fish Market
The interiors of the Fish Market. Neat, huh?

We got a table at the open courtyard at the Fish Market. It’s the Restaurant and Courtyard Bar, which has a relaxing open air ambiance. They set the table for us and attended to our needs. We ordered a rice, which was in a small bucket, but were already too much for the two of us. Our deep fried oysters came and it was really delicious! The oysters melt in our mouth! When we got three each, we were already full because they were huge and filling. But, boy, they were the best oysters I have tasted!

Fish Market
The Courtyard Bar at the Fish Market.
Fish Market
These oysters were really the best! We had them deep fried. Don’t miss this when you’re in Auckland!

After our lunch, we still walked farther and saw the Westhaven Marina, which Camille has been wanting to visit and photograph. We also saw the Sounds of Sea, the Daldy Street Park, and the Wind Tree, all beautiful artistic attractions. On the other hand, I looked up and saw the sun with a full halo, a natural phenomenon when there are ice particles in the air. Must be the effect of winter.

Wynyard Quarter
Daldy Street Park.
Wynyard Quarter
The Wind Tree.
Westhaven Marina
Rows of sailboats at the Westhaven Marina. That’s why Auckland is called the City of Sails.
Sun Halo
It’s the first time I have seen, and captured, a sun halo.

Read more at:

http://www.wynyard-quarter.co.nz/
https://www.afm.co.nz/
http://www.aucklandnz.com/discover/central-auckland/viaduct-harbour
http://www.aucklandnz.com/discover/wynyard-quarter
http://www.beercycle.co.nz/

Queen Street

Our hotel was located in Queen Street so we have been walking around the area for the five days and four nights we were in New Zealand. Since it was a holiday, a basketball court was erected in front of the Britomart, and people were enticed to play.

Queen Street
A basketball goal was set up along Queen Street in front of Britomart.
Britomart
This old structure is the famous Britomart.

Queen Street traces its history way back since 1840. No wonder the whole street was filled with old buildings – preserved and put to good use by utilizing them as hotels, shops or offices. Until now, this whole avenue is still the main strip in the city centre. It’s a shopper’s delight, although some say the cheapest won’t be found here.

Grand Windsor Auckland
Our hotel is also in a heritage structure. I took this from across the street.
Queen Street
Shops along Queen Street.

But we’re not complaining. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Tiffany’s, Estee Lauder, Swarovski, and other luxury brands were our neighbors. And just beside some of these high-end shops were souvenir shops, which was a big convenience to us as we were able to manage a 10 minute shopping as we were about to leave for the airport.

Queen Street
Duty Free Shopping at the Galleria, housed in an old building.
Queen Street
More shops and more heritage structures along Queen Street.

A few blocks away are other attractions, like Sky Tower, Sky City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Civic Theatre. Interestingly, the CBD reminded me of downtown San Francisco because of its terrain. There are a lot to see in Auckland’s city centre. Queen Street deserve an entire day just to explore it.

Read more at:

http://www.aucklandnz.com/discover/in-and-around-queen-street

The Q’s of Auckland

Queen Street. Queen’s Wharf. Quay Street. Wynyard Quarter. So many Q’s and it gave me more questions in the head that can only be satisfied with an answer if I explore Auckland more. But time was not on my side. I’m glad though that the calendar was aligned on Queen’s Day.

Note: All photos are taken and owned by this author. No reproduction or use of such photos are allowed. Contact [email protected] for inquiries.




17 Comments

  1. Gigi McGuire

    That was very lucky that you were able to see how Queen’s day was like! It sounds like a fun day! I think my son would’ve liked the modern merry go round. :). Did the love locks symbolize anything? Just curious. The sun photo was spectacular! I’ve never seen anything like that. Good call on the fried oysters! Looks like they put some special batter on it too.

  2. Actually the birthdays of England’s royalties are celebrated in spring/summer even in England no matter when they’re born just to prevent the celebrations from being spoiled by bad weather.

  3. Modern merry go around is what my kid will love
    Yachts deck are similar in Mackay

  4. I think it is so lucky that you can be in a country in time for a big holiday celebration. For me, my lucky trip was when we incidentally went to Lourdes, France right on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes! Very memorable procession around the shrine that we joined that night in the bitter cold of winter (in was February), but it was one of the warmest experiences spiritually.

  5. Elizabeth O.

    Sounds like a fun filled day, you’re celebrating the Queen after all. It’s a well spent day with all the activities and the attractions! I really love how yummy the oysters look!

  6. I think that’s very lucky, to be able to witness how they celebrate Queen’s Day! It makes a lot of sense to celebrate the Queen’s birthday during this season because then you won’t have to worry so much about the weather. It was a wonderful day out, and it shows in your photos!

  7. Seems like you have a fun day at the celebration of Queen’s Day.Modern merry go around looks wonderful too.Thanks for sharing this arrticle.

  8. I have never been to Queens, it looks like a great place to visit. I love the photos you took, what camera did you use?

  9. It’s really fun celebration for you in which other may envy because of QE birthday. The photos looks stunning and colorful. A filled day for you as an entertainment moment.

  10. Auckland is such a beautiful place! Tasting local food is also one of the most exciting things to do when traveling. Fresh oysters are delicious!

  11. Wow! Looks like a really fun day! Wish I could experience it myself looking at the amazing photos you took!

  12. There’s so much to do in Auckland. There are a lot of festivities there too.

  13. I enjoyed looking at the photos from your trips – they make me want to book a flight and hop on to the next plane. New Zealand is one of the places that I intend to make a trip to in this lifetime.

  14. What a fun! Whenever there is such occasion, generally places look very colorful and more attractive.

  15. The lady balancing the bean bags looks so hilarious and cute. I tried that before and I realised I’m pretty good at it! 🙂 So did you manage to try in the end?

  16. Is it just me or what? I find those laughing clowns creepy. lol anyway, I didn’t know New Zealand has so many places to show off! I just only knew a little about it so pardon me if I asked such. (giggle)

  17. Great and fruitful day out. I love the colorful and fun amusement park.

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